Method and system for booting, provisioning and activating hardware and software clients

ABSTRACT

Automated booting of a client for a subscriber is provided for clients that are for use in interactive user sessions that involve multimedia. A subscribe message is sent from the client to a proxy server. The proxy server authenticates the subscribe message, and sends the subscribe message to the configuration server. A notify message is sent to the client from the configuration server. The notify message is sent through the proxy server, and contains a location of a profile for the client. The profile is downloaded to the clients. This arrangement allows the persistence of profiles in a centralized place.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a CONTINUATION of and claims priority to application Ser. No. 11/503,830, filed Aug. 14, 2006, and titled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BOOTING, PROVISIONING AND ACTIVATING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE CLIENT”, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/707,639, filed Aug. 12, 2005. The above identified applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to hardware and software based customer premise equipment (CPE) for use in interactive user sessions that involve multimedia. The invention further relates to an automated boot process, and to provisioning and activation technologies for these hardware and software clients.

2. Background Art

Session initiation protocol (SIP) is an existing request/response protocol for initiating, modifying, and terminating interactive user sessions that involve multimedia. SIP-based clients include both hardware and software based customer premise equipment (CPE). Generally, SIP provides signaling and session setup for Internet protocol (IP) communications involving multimedia.

Traditional provisioning approaches used with SIP clients utilize a pull model for provisioning, in which the client checks for configuration changes periodically or requires to be rebooted to get configuration updates. As a result, updates to the SIP clients are traditionally not real-time updates. In addition, by design, SIP is a peer-to-peer protocol. As a result, traditional SIP applications are not configured to maintain persistence of data in a centralized place to enable the subscriber to have a consistent experience across a variety of platforms and hardware solutions. Also, the traditional back-office system does not support clients behind in-home NAT devices or nomadic clients.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a method and system for booting, provisioning, and activating hardware and software clients that address some of the shortcomings in existing approaches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method and system for booting, provisioning, and activating hardware and software clients.

Some embodiments of the invention involve SIP clients; however, it is to be appreciated that various aspects of the invention may be used with other hardware and software clients used in interactive user sessions using other protocols.

In one embodiment, the invention provides an automated method for booting up SIP-based clients, including both hardware and software based customer premise equipment (CPE). A top-down push mechanism is used for provisioning the user, service, and device information for a subscriber. Boot up configuration information is stored in the network, and supports stationary as well as nomadic SIP-based clients. In preferred embodiments, network address translation (NAT) traversal allows the booting up of SIP-based clients behind NAT devices.

By using the top-down push mechanism, in some embodiments it may be possible to propagate updates from the billing system, provisioning system, self-care portal, etc., to SIP-based clients in real-time if the client is online. In the event that the client is not online, the updates could be provided at the next log in or boot up of the client.

In some embodiments, configuration parameters (for example, user preferences, etc.) from the soft client or hard client may be uploaded to the provisioning system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the system architecture for implementing the invention in the preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 2-7 illustrate various provisioning flows in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates the provisioning login flow for a soft client device logging in for the first time in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates the provisioning login flow for a soft client device on subsequent logins, and the hard client device login flow;

FIG. 10 illustrates the updating of client preferences from the soft client or hard client through a local administration graphical user interface (GUI); and

FIG. 11 illustrates the updating of client preferences using a portal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 provides a high-level view of the functionality that various systems perform in the preferred embodiment.

1. Billing Systems (10)

Billing systems 10 perform the following functions:

-   -   Order Entry: Customer Account Executive (CAE) 12, or Customer         Service Representative (CSR), will be able to create new orders         in the billing systems 10. Self-provisioning by the customer         using a Portal is another mechanism to create new orders.     -   Monthly bill generation: Billing systems 10 interact with the         Mediation Server (MS) 14 to generate monthly bills for each         subscriber. The monthly bill (one per multiple service         subscriptions) has monthly recurring charges (service charges,         call features, rental charges, etc.), Call detail records (date,         time, place, telephone number (TN), type of rate, number of         minutes, and amount of charge), non-recurring charges,         regulatory recovery fees (911, Universal connectivity, LNP fee,         etc.), surcharge (subscriber line), taxes (federal, state and         local).     -   Billing inquiry support: CAE 12 has access to call detail         information sent from the MS 14 to handle disputes and to apply         credit for calls.     -   Rate Code Management: Service package and rate code information         is available for use to the CAE 12 and the order entry Portal.         Based on the rate code, individual calls will be rated by time         of day, local/long distance/international, etc.     -   Workforce Management functionalities: Technician scheduling,         setting up customer appointments based on real-time technician         availability information and work assignment are some of the         capabilities that billing systems 10 provide.     -   CPE inventory management: The Billing systems 10 provide         inventory management and equipment tracking for hard clients         (HC) 18.

2. Mediation Server (MS) (14)

The service architecture includes the SIP Infrastructure 20, Policy Server (PS) 22 and Session Border Controller (SBC) which generate RADIUS accounting events, and not full Call Detail Records (CDRs). These events are generated for each SIP message transaction (e.g., INVITE, BYE) and for each (originating and terminating) call leg during a call. The RADIUS server 24 collects these accounting events and sends them to MS 14 using flat files for call metering and rating as per service package information.

MS 14 performs RADIUS event correlation using subscriber account information provided by billing systems 10 to derive CDRs and call dispositions. MS 14 then forwards the CDRs to billing systems 10. MS 14 supports billing inquiries from Portal to display call logs in near real-time.

3. RADIUS Server (24)

Radius server 24 collects all event messages [startup/shutdown/connect/disconnect/failed requests/missed/forwarded/Voicemail/QoS on-off, etc.] sent by the SIP Infrastructure 20, PS 22 and SBC to create flat file/s to be sent to the MS 14 for further processing.

4. Provisioning Engine (PE) (30)

PE 30 receives service requests (add/delete/modify) from billing systems 10 to perform subscriber and service provisioning using Work Breakdown Engine (WBE) 32 to drive the workflow. PE 30 interfaces with Messaging Platform (MP) 34, Configuration Server (CS) 36, SIP Infrastructure 20, PS 22, Provisioning Group (PG) 38 to keep these systems in sync with the Data Store (DS) 40 (source of truth).

PE 30 receives password update requests from Subscriber Service Management Layer (SSML) 50 and ensures that the SIP Infrastructure 20 is updated with this data.

PE 30 receives client preferences and address book changes from SSML 50 (changes made from the Portal) and sends an update trigger to Configuration Server 36.

PE 30 receives call feature detail changes from the Portal and writes the information to SIP Infrastructure 20.

PE 30 receives call feature details queries from the Portal. The PE will process requests using SIP Infrastructure adapters to send back the details to the Portal.

5. Work Breakdown Engine (WBE) (32)

PE 30 will communicate with the WBE 32 to get work order breakdown for service requests (add/delete/modify). WBE 32 will maintain the timing and order of provisioning operations.

All work order breakdown service requests from WBE 32 are transactional in nature, following a particular sequence. Status of orders will be updated in the Order Status Repository (OSR) 52. On failures, these provisioning transactions originated from WBE 32 will not be rolled back to preserve the state for further analysis during order fall out handling. The service fulfillment agent will handle fall out orders and correct the trouble to complete and close the order.

WBE 32 interacts with TPP (voice third party provisioning) systems for LIDB, LNP, CNAM, and DA/DL services.

6. Order Status Repository (OSR) (52)

OSR 52 maintains the status of various legs of the transactions that are broken down by the WBE 32. Manual intervention will be required to fix the errors that arise out of automated provisioning.

7. Configuration Server (36)

The Configuration Server 36 provides the following functions:

-   -   Support Subscribe-Notify SIP based event mechanism.     -   Support XCAP to manage configuration data, e.g., user, service         and device profiles.     -   Will provide all user, service and device profile data from the         data store 40 as source of truth.     -   For performance reasons, configuration server 36 may cache user,         service and device profiles. The caching option will be         configurable.     -   Push configuration updates (i.e. user, service and device         profile parameter changes) from Billing system 10, Portal to the         SIP-based clients (hard clients 18, soft clients 60) in         real-time.     -   Upload user profile changes from the SIP-based clients (hard         clients 18, soft clients 60) to data store 40 via SSML services         50 in real-time.

8. SIP Infrastructure (20)

The SIP Infrastructure 20 provides the following functionality:

-   -   User authentication and authorization (to gain access to         SIP-based network services).     -   End-point registration (maintains mapping a particular SIP         address and/or E.164 # to the IP address of a user agent (UA)).     -   Message routing (including simple network-based features like         call forwarding, etc.).     -   Enhanced feature support (e.g., multi-point conferencing with         centralized media mixing).     -   Inter-domain routing of SIP session requests.     -   Providing network-based features associated with routing between         multiple domains (e.g., least-cost routing).     -   ENUM integration for number management and routing.     -   Support for subscriptions and notifications.

9. Policy Server (PS) (22)

The Policy Server 22 enforces MSO-defined authorization and resource-management procedures. PS 22 applies rules against received Policy Requests. Requests that pass are proxied to the cable modem termination system (CMTS) 62 for admission control. PS 22 can push policy decisions to a CMTS 62 and respond to queries from the CMTS 62 for policy decisions.

10. Messaging Platform (MP) (34)

The messaging platform 34 provides the subscriber with voice mail, and video mail services. MP 34 will also provide notifications for messages and portal based access for message retrieval and preference settings.

11. Provisioning Group (PG) (38)

PG systems 38 are used to provision multiple technologies and devices including Cable Modems, digital set-top boxes and PacketCable eMTAs. The device will be added to a database (registration) and receive a proper configuration file (activation).

PG systems 38 also include a DHCP server to dynamically allocate IP addresses and a DNS server that is used to map between domain names and IP addresses.

12. Tools Database (TDB) (64)

TDB 64 is a central database of record for network element data. TDB 64 will be populated with subscriber and service data (e-mail, call features, etc.) written by PE 30. TDB 64 will also house billing data (rate codes, account number, customer ID, market ID, region ID, domain ID, etc.) TDB 64 has also near real-time feed from PG 38 for IP-address assignments to CM, and CPEs. TDB 64 maps a subscriber to a CMTS 62.

TDB 64 will be accessed by various OSS tools 65 and PS 22.

13. Subscriber Service Management Layer (SSML) (50)

SSML 50 provides component services to do subscriber options, preferences and account management. Portal based service applications access these services to provide subscriber self-care account management services.

SSML 50 maintains data integrity and consistency in the DS 40 for updates from multiple sources (Portal, Configuration Server, etc.). SSML 50 provides a layer of abstraction around the data in the DS 40.

SSML 50 will be accessed by Configuration Server 36 to provide user/service/device profile information to the clients. SSML 50 will retrieve the data from the DS 40 to provide the information.

14. Data Store (DS) (40)

The DS 40 is used for product management, subscriber and device identity management, application/service configuration/authorization/activation and topology/infrastructure information. The DS 40 is the source of truth and the Configuration Server 36 and other downstream network elements need to be in sync with DS 40.

The DS 40 is used to hold the online service state of the subscriber. A subscriber's service is disconnected by request or by enabling business rules that determine the state of the subscriber over time (e.g., abandonment of the account or services for specified period of time will result in automated termination). The online state of the subscriber with respect to the provisioned devices and services will be written to the DS 40 by PE 30. Certain applications and aspects of these services such as Parental Controls and Presence-based service management will write/update the DS 40 independently of the PE 30.

On a much larger scale, the provisioning of subscriber, device, and service information through PE 30 into the DS 40 allows for the scale, flexibility, and redundancy to provide the subscriber a richer and cohesive environment. On an even grander scale, allowing third-party services to authenticate against the DS 40 allows subscribers to access to their services even off the service provider's footprint.

DS 40 supports the User-Service management paradigm as well as providing Service Access, Business Management, and Operational (Support System) Management.

15. STUN and TURN (80)

The STUN and TURN 80 are used by clients as follows:

The STUN (Simple Traversal of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) Through Network Address Translators (NATs)) is used by a client behind NAT to find out its public address, the type of NAT it is behind and the Internet side port associated by the NAT with a particular local port.

The TURN (Traversal Using Relay NAT) is used by clients behind a symmetric NAT or firewall to receive incoming data over TCP or UDP connections.

FIGS. 2-7 provide details of various flows [add/delete/modify service requests] for the automated boot-process for SIP-based clients in the preferred embodiment. In each figure, the follows are sequentially numbered to facilitate an understanding of the illustrated process. Further, labels for the flows are provided immediately below each flow diagram for clarity, and indicate the activity for the flows.

FIG. 2 provides details of the add service request for a soft client (SC) subscriber:

-   -   When the subscriber calls the Customer Account Executive (CAE)         12 to add service, serviceability check is performed, a         telephone number is allocated, and an order is entered and after         Third Party Validation (TPV) is done the order is sent down to         the Provisioning Engine (PE) 30. (Flow 1-6.) A serviceability         database for checking the serviceability of an account/customer         is indicated at 13.     -   The PE 30 gets the breakdown of the order from the Work         Breakdown Engine (WBE) 32. (Flows 7-8.)     -   Based on the WBE 32, various downstream systems—Messaging         Platform (MP) 34, Policy Server (PS) 22, SIP Infrastructure 20,         Tools Database (TDB) 64, Data Store (DS) 40, and Configuration         Server (CS) 36—are updated with subscriber and service data.         (Flows 9-19.)     -   PE 30 sends the overall order status of the transaction to the         billing system 10. (Flow 20.)     -   Billing system 10 sends the subscriber data to Mediation Service         (MS) 14 in real-time. This step is necessary to trigger MS 14 to         start tracking the telephone call usage (type as         local/long-distance/international, toll/non-toll, minutes etc.)         for the subscriber. Subscriber data including primary account         customer ID/Account ID, Telephone Number, Service Package         information/Service Code/Rate Code, Monthly billing cycle, and         Account scams are sent. (Flow 21.)     -   PE 30 will then update the provisioning tasks status in Order         Status Repository (OSR) 52 and inform WBE 32 that the activation         was successful. (Flow 22.)     -   Billing system 10 sends the status of the Order Entry to CAE 12.         The CAE 12 provides download information [URL] to the customer.         (Flow 23.)     -   WBE 32 will perform third party provisioning. Directory         Assistance (DA)/Directory Listing (DL) will be updated with the         customer listing information. Calling Name (CNAM) database will         be updated with caller ID and calling name information.         Automatic Location Identification (ALI) database will be updated         with subscriber address information for E911. (Flow 24.)

FIG. 3 provides details of the delete service request for a soft client (SC) subscriber:

-   -   When the subscriber calls the Customer Account Executive (CAE)         12 to delete service, an order is entered and sent down to the         PE 30. (Flows 1-2.)     -   The PE 30 gets the breakdown of the order from the WBE 32.         (Flows 3-4.)     -   Based on the WBE 32, various downstream systems—MP 34, PS 22,         SIP Infrastructure 20, TDB 64, DS 40, and CS 36—are asked to         delete subscriber and service data. (Flows 5-15.)     -   PE 30 sends the overall status of the transaction to the billing         system 10. (Flow 16.)     -   The telephone number will be returned to the TN database 16.         (Flow 17.)     -   The status of the operation to add the telephone number to the         TN database 16 is returned to the Billing system 10. (Flow 18.)     -   Billing system 10 sends notification to MS 14 in real-time that         the subscriber was deleted. (Flow 19.)     -   Upon reporting status of delete operation to billing system         (Flow 16), PE 30 will then update the OSR data 52 with delete         order status and inform WBE 32 that the deactivation is         complete. (Flow 20.)     -   Upon completion of Flow 19, Billing system 10 sends the status         of the delete service to CAE 12. (Flow 21.)     -   After receiving deactivation complete message from PE 30 (Flow         20), WBE 32 will perform third party provisioning to clear the         account information. (Flow 22.)

FIG. 4 provides details of the modify service request for a soft client (SC) subscriber:

-   -   When the subscriber calls the Customer Account Executive (CAE)         12 to modify service, an order is entered and sent down to the         PE 30. (Flows 1-2.)     -   The PE 30 gets the breakdown of the order from the WBE 32.         (Flows 3-4.)     -   Based on the WBE 32, various downstream systems—MP 34, PS 22,         SIP Infrastructure 20, TDB 64, DS 40, and CS 36—are asked to         modify subscriber and service data. (Flows 5-19.)     -   CS 36 notifies soft client (SC) 60 of change. (Flows 10-14.)     -   PE 30 sends the overall status of the transaction to the billing         system 10. (Flow 20.)     -   Billing system 10 sends the status of the Order Entry to CAE 12.         (Flow 21.)

FIG. 5 provides details of the add service request for a hard client (HC) subscriber:

-   -   When the subscriber calls the Customer Account Executive (CAE)         12 to add service, serviceability check is performed, a         telephone number is allocated, an order is entered and after         Third Party Validation (TPV) is done the order is sent down to         the Provisioning Engine (PE) 30. (Flows 1-6.)     -   The PE 30 gets the breakdown of the order from the Work         Breakdown Engine (WBE) 32. (Flows 7-8.)     -   Based on the WBE 32, various downstream systems—Messaging         Platform (MP) 34, Policy Server (PS) 22, SIP Infrastructure 20,         Tools Database (TDB) 64, Data Store (DS) 40, and Configuration         Server (CS) 36—are updated with subscriber and service data.         (Flows 9-19.)     -   The order is not yet complete. The Billing System 10 is informed         of the status of the provisioning request. (Flow 20.)     -   The Billing System 10 updates CAE with order entry status. (Flow         21.)     -   Technician calls IVR (from the subscriber site on the day of         install) and enters MAC address. Technician also specifies         whether HC 18 is behind NAT 70 or not. (Flow 22.)     -   WBE 32 sends update to PE 30 via Order Status Repository (OSR)         52 that the equipment information MAC address was checked in for         specific subscriber and order (indirectly identifying TN). (Flow         23.)     -   PE 30 updates PG 38 to register HC 18 MAC address and allow         additional IP address allocation if HC 18 is not behind NAT 70.         (Flow 24.)     -   PE 30 updates DS 40 subscriber-device association information.         (Flow 25.)     -   PE 30 updates SIP-infrastructure 20 with TN & MAC address for         authentication purpose. (Flow 26.)     -   PE 30 writes back equipment information to billing system 10 for         the given subscriber. (Flow 27.)     -   Technician does wiring and connection, confirms service is up         and running, and then calls billing system dispatch and         checks-in work order. If any of the previous steps failed, OSR         52 will have the status. The technician will have to call         service delivery or fulfillment agent to resolve the issue. The         service delivery or fulfillment agent will look at OSR 52 and         will rectify the problem. (Flow 28.)     -   Billing system 10 sends order check-in to PE 30 and updates         Mediation Server 14 with subscriber data. (Flows 29-30.)     -   PE 30 will then update the OSR data with order status and inform         WBE 32 that the activation was successful. (Flow 31.)     -   WBE 32 will perform third party provisioning. Line Information         Database (LIDB) will be updated. Directory Assistance         (DA)/Directory Listing (DL) will be updated with the customer         listing information. Calling Name (CNAM) database will be         updated with caller ID and calling name information. Automatic         Location Identification (ALI) database will be updated with         subscriber address information for E911. (Flow 32.)

FIG. 6 provides details of the delete service request for a hard client (HC) 18 subscriber:

-   -   When the subscriber calls the Customer Account Executive (CAE)         12 to delete service, an order is entered and sent down to the         PE 30. (Flows 1-2.)     -   The PE 30 gets the breakdown of the order from the WBE 32.         (Flows 3-4.)     -   Based on the WBE 32, various downstream systems—MP 34, PS 22,         SIP

Infrastructure 20, TDB 64, DS 40, and CS 36—are asked to delete subscriber and service data. (Flows 5-15.)

-   -   If HC 18 is not behind NAT 70, PE 30 updates PG 38 to         un-register HC MAC and reduce the number of IP addresses that         can be allocated to CPEs, by 1. PE 30 will refer to DS 40 to         figure out whether HC 18 is behind NAT 70 or not as this         information is gathered thru IVR during equipment activation. If         HC 18 was behind NAT 70, no change is required to the PG 38 for         IP address allocation. (Flow 16.)     -   PE 30 sends the status of the transaction to the billing system         10. (Flow 17.)     -   The telephone number will be returned to the TN database 16.         (Flows 18)     -   The status of the operation to add the telephone number to the         TN database 16 is returned to the Billing System 10. (Flow 19.)     -   The Billing system 10 returns the status of the delete service         to the CAE to 12. (Flow 20.)     -   PE 30 will then update the OSR data 52 to inform WBE 32 that the         deactivation is complete. (Flow 21.)     -   WBE 32 will perform third party provisioning to disable account.         LIDB will be updated. DA/DL will be updated with the customer         listing information. CNAM database will be updated with caller         ID and calling name information. Automatic Location         Identification (ALI) database will be updated with subscriber         address information for E911. (Flow 22.)     -   Billing system 10 will trigger an equipment pick-up event to the         dispatch. (Flow 23.)     -   Equipment will be returned by the customer at a drop-off         location or picked up on a truck-roll. (Flow 24.)     -   Billing system 10 sends notification to MS 14 in real-time that         the subscriber was deleted. Only after the equipment has been         picked up, MS 14 will be notified to generate the final bill         since the equipment could be rented/leased. (Flow 25.)

FIG. 7 provides details of the modify service request for a hard client (HC) 18 subscriber:

-   -   When the subscriber calls the Customer Account Executive (CAE)         12 to modify service, an order is entered and sent down to the         PE 30. (Flows 1-2.)     -   The PE 30 gets the breakdown of the order from the WBE 32.         (Flows 3-4.)     -   Based on the WBE 32, various downstream systems—MP 34, PS 22,         SIP

Infrastructure 20, TDB 64, DS 40, and CS 36—are asked to modify subscriber and service data. (Flows 5-19.)

-   -   CS 36 notifies HC 18 of change. (Flows 10-14.)     -   PE 30 sends the status of the transaction to the billing system         10. (Flow 20.)     -   Billing system 10 sends the status of the modify order to CAE         12. (Flow 21.)     -   If there is no truck-roll, the order is checked in. If there is         truck-roll, the technician will perform the modifications and         check in. (Flows 22-28.)     -   PE 30 is informed that the order is complete. (Flow 29.)     -   Billing system sends notification to MS 14 to start billing.         (Flow 30.)     -   If truck-rolled, PE 30 notifies WBE 32 of order check-in to         close order. WBE will perform third party provisioning to update         the account, if required. (Flow 31.)

FIG. 8 provides detailed flows for the automatic boot process for SIP-based Soft

Clients (SC) 60 logging in for the first time in the preferred embodiment. The details of the automatic boot process for SIP-based SCs 60 are given below:

-   -   The PC 72 interacts with the DHCP server, (may be part of the         Provisioning Group (PG) 38 or local NAT device) to get an IP         address, default gateway address and DNS server information.     -   The subscriber goes to the download portal (DP) 74 to download         the SC 60. (Flow 1.)     -   The DP 74 issues a LDAP query to the DS 40 to retrieve password         information. (Flow 2.)     -   DP 74 validates the password and allows the download of the SC         60 to the PC 72. (Flow 3.)     -   Once the download is complete, the installation of the SC 60         will take place automatically. The domain name, backup fully         qualified domain name (FQDN) of STUN server and SIP server are         pushed down as part of the installation. (Flows 4-5.)     -   The SC 60 will send a DNS SRV query to get the service records         for discovering the local SIP service. The DNS SRV resolution         process involves a request/response transaction in which the         client provides the specially formed FQDN derived from service         name, domain name and client's preferred transport (e.g., sip.         tcp.exampledomain.com). The DNS infrastructure responds with a         SRV record corresponding with the service addressing attributes.         Should the DNS SRV fail, the backup FQDN will be used to avoid         service disruption. (Flow 6.)     -   The DNS server will return list of SRV records having FQDN of         available SIP Proxies (part of the SIP Infrastructure) along         with the port number of the target host where the service may be         found. (Flow 7.)     -   SC 60 will select a SRV record for SIP service based on priority         and weight (this provides combination of load balancing and         backup service). Then the client sends a query to the DNS to         resolve the FQDN of the SIP Proxy from the selected SRV record.         (Flow 8.)     -   The DNS server will return the IP address for the SIP Proxy.         (Flow 9.)     -   The SC 60 will send a DNS SRV query to get service records for         discovering the local STUN service.     -   After getting the list of SRV records for STUN service, the SC         60 will select a SRV record based on priority and weight. Then,         the SC 60 will send a query to the DNS server to resolve STUN         server FQDN from selected SRV record to get the IP address of         the STUN server 80. Should the DNS SRV fail, the backup FQDN         will be used to avoid service disruption.     -   SC 60 will interact with the STUN server 80 to determine whether         it is behind a NAT device or not. In the process, SC 60 will         also identify its public address, the type of NAT it is behind         and the Internet side port associated by the NAT with a         particular local port. The SC will be using this information to         make SIP proxies aware about it. This will allow SIP proxies to         interact with NATed SC 60     -   SC 60 will send a Subscribe message with NAT traversal         information, i.e., public IP address and Internet side port in         top most Via header as “received” and “rport” parameters to the         SIP proxy to retrieve the user, service and device profiles. The         SIP Infrastructure 20 challenges the Subscribe request if it         does not have enough authentication information. The SC 60 will         resend Subscribe request with authentication information         (username and password) to SIP infrastructure. Upon successful         authentication, SIP infrastructure routes the Subscribe message         to the Configuration server 36. (Flow 10.)     -   The Configuration Server 36 creates subscription based on the         subscriber ID and client ID in the “Subscribe” message and         notifies the SC 60 of the location of the user, service and         device profiles. Address book location will also be notified as         part of service profile. CS 36 uses the SIP proxy to route the         information back to the SC 60 using Notify message. (Flow 11.)     -   SC 60 sends XCAP request to the Configuration Server 36         requesting the user, service and device profiles. This time, the         SIP Proxy is by-passed and the SC connects directly to the         Configuration server 36. (Flow 12.)     -   Configuration Server 36 gets the user, service and device         profile data from the DS 40 if it does not exist in its local         cache and sends the data to the SC 60. (Flow 13.)     -   The address book related transaction is optional as same service         could be accessed using other mechanisms, e.g., XMPP protocol.         The SC has the option to leverage XCAP capabilities for         accessing and managing address book. This is shown here as         separate queries as it is optional and also to enable the shared         address book data to reside on a location other than the         Configuration server 36. The SC 60 will send XCAP request to CS         36 requesting for address-book. (Flow 14.)     -   Configuration Server 36 gets the address book data from the DS         40 and sends it to the SC 60. The address book data should not         be cached in the Configuration Server 36. (Flow 15.)     -   The SC 60 will register with the SIP Proxy which is a front         element of SIP infrastructure 20. The SIP Proxy will validate         the credentials of the SC 60 if the domain of the SC 60 is         correct. Otherwise, it will redirect the SC 60 to the correct         domain. (Flow 16.)     -   The SIP Proxy on successful registration will send an OK,         indicating that the registration was successful. (Flow 17.)     -   The SC 60 is now ready for communication and the subscriber can         initiate or receive request for conversations to/from other         subscribers.

FIG. 9 provides detailed flows for the automatic boot process for SIP-based SCs 60 logging in for the 2nd time onwards and for hard clients (HC) 18 in the preferred embodiment. The details of the automatic boot process for SIP-based SC/HCs 60, 18 are given below:

-   -   If the HC 18 is behind a NAT 70, it will get an IP address from         the NAT device. Otherwise, it will go to the DHCP Server (part         of the PG 38) to get an IP address.     -   SC/HC 60, 18 on a login will send DNS SVR request to DNS server         (part of the PG 38). (Flow 1.)     -   DNS provides list of SRV records to the SC/HC 60, 18 which will         select a

SRV record to get the SIP-proxy FQDN and Port information for SIP service. If DNS SRV fails backup FQDN should be used. (Flow 2.)

-   -   The SC/HC 60, 18 will interact with the DNS to resolve the IP         address of the selected SIP Proxy FQDN. (Flows 3-4.)     -   The SC/HC 60, 18 will send a DNS SRV query to get service         records for discovering the STUN service.     -   After getting the list of SRV records for STUN service, the         SC/HC 60, 18 will select a SRV record based on priority and         weight. Then, the SC/HC 60, 18 will send a query to the DNS         server to resolve STUN server FQDN from selected SRV record to         get the IP address. If the DNS SRV fails, the backup STUN FQDN         will be used to avoid service disruption.     -   SC/HC 60, 18 will interact with the STUN server 80 to determine         whether it is behind a NAT device 70 or not. In the process,         SC/HC 60, 18 will identify its public address, the type of NAT         it is behind and the Internet side port associated by the NAT         with a particular local port. The SC/HC 60, 18 will be using         this information to make SIP proxies aware about it. This will         allow SIP proxies to interact with NATed SC/HC 60, 18.     -   SC/HC 60, 18 will send a Subscribe message to the SIP Proxy for         user, service, device profiles. (Flow 5.)     -   SIP Proxy will authenticate the request and send the request to         the Configuration server 36.     -   Configuration server 36 will send a Notify message to the SC/HC         60,18 through the SIP Proxy containing the location of the user,         service and device profiles. The device profile will have         software/firmware upgrade information (e.g., new version,         filename/package-name, location, upgrade-type mandatory or         optional, etc.) for SC/HC 60, 18. The configuration server is         capable of sending Notifications in real-time or on schedule as         long as SC/HC 60, 18 are subscribed with Configuration server         and whenever new version software/firmware available and related         information is added to DS 40, usually done by operations as         manual procedures. (Flow 6.)     -   The SC/HC 60, 18 will directly send XCAP request to the         Configuration server 36 to get the user, service, and device         profile updates. If there is new version available in DS 40,         then configuration server will return device profile that is         suggesting SC/HC 60, 18 to do software/firmware upgrade. The         SC/HC 60, 18 must upgrade if device profile specifies upgrade is         mandatory. Otherwise, subscriber is at will. For upgrade, SC/HC         60, 18 will directly download software/firmware from the         location specified in device profile. After the download, SC/HC         60, 18 must backup the old image. Then SC/HC must install and         use new software/firmware automatically and re-get user,         service, and device profiles from Config Server by sending XCAP         request with latest make-model-version information. (Flow 7.)

The URL format for XCAP request should be formed as follows:

<XCAP-root> <Document-selector>[<Node-selector>] Where   XCAP root = https://<config_server_fqdn>/xcap   Document selector = <application_id>/<user_id>/<device_id>/   <doc_id>   <application_id> = /vcom/2_0/configuration   <user_id> = /users/username used for authentication for Softclient, it       is Comcast.net username for Video Phone(VP), it is serial       number/MAC of VP   <device_id>  = /<vendor>/<model>/<version>  for  Softclient, Eyeball/SC/2_0  for  Video  phone, Innimedia/VP/2_0   <doc_id> = /all.xml Node selector =will be based on XML schema of full configuration containing user, service and device profile data.

-   -   Configuration server 36 will send the data for the user, service         and device profile [deltas over previously sent data]. If the         data is in the local cache, Configuration Server 36 will send it         to the SC/HC 60, 18 directly. Otherwise, it will retrieve the         data from SSML/DS 50, 40 and then send the data to the SC/HC 60,         18. (Flow 8.)     -   SC/HC 60, 18 may optionally sends XCAP requests to get address         book data. Config Server 36 retrieves address book data from the         DS 40 and sends back data as XCAP response to the SC/HC 60, 18.         Note: The address book service could be hosted on Configuration         Server 36 or as separate XCAP server. (Flows 9-10.)     -   SC/HC 60, 18 is then ready to register with the SIP Proxy. (Flow         11.)     -   SIP Proxy authenticates the data using information from the         local data store and sends back a status of the registration.         (Flow 12.)

FIG. 10 provides detailed information about updates from SC/HC 60, 18 to client preferences (part of user profile) and/or address book changes made from the SC/HC's 60, 18 local Graphical User Interface (GUI):

-   -   When the subscriber wants to make changes to the client         preferences (part of user profile) and/or the address book, the         local administration GUI will be brought up. The subscriber will         modify the preferences and/or address book in the GUI. The         changes done to the preferences and/or address book are sent to         the Configuration Server 36. The entire transaction will be a         synchronous transaction and will be complete when the         Configuration Server 36 returns the status of the update to the         SC/HC 60, 18. (Flow 1.)     -   The Configuration Server 36 writes to the SSML 50. The         Configuration Server 36 will wait synchronously with the data         for the status from SSML 50. (Flow 2.)     -   SSML 50 writes to DS 40. The status of the LDAP write will be         available to SSML 50. (Flow 3.)     -   SSML 50 will send the status of the updates to the Configuration         Server 36. (Flow 4.)     -   Configuration Server 36 will update its cache with the newly         modified client preferences data. The address book changes, if         any, will not be cached or modified by the Configuration Server         36. (Flow 5.)     -   Configuration server 36 will then send the status of the updates         back to the SC/HC 60, 18. (Flow 6.)     -   On successful update, SC/HC 60, 18 will update the local data         structures with the modified user, service and device profiles,         and address book data. The SC/HC 60, 18 will reflect the changes         on GUI as required. (Flow 7.)

FIG. 11 provides detailed information about updates made from the Portal to client preferences (part of user profile) and/or the address book in the preferred embodiment:

-   -   Subscriber makes changes in the Portal 12 and the Portal 12         forwards the changes to SSML 50. (Flow 1.)     -   SSML 50 writes the changes to the DS 40. The status of the DS 40         write is available to SSML 50. (Flow 2.)     -   SSML 50 sends the updates to the PE 30. (Flow 3.)     -   PE 30 acknowledges update request to SSML 50. Downstream updates         are done asynchronously with guaranteed delivery. (Flow 4.)     -   SSML 50 sends the status of the update to the Portal 12. As soon         as the DS 40 is updated and the request has been acknowledged by         PE 30, the status is sent back to the Portal 12 to ensure that         system resources are not tied up for this transaction. (Flow 5.)     -   The PE 30 then updates the Configuration Server 36. (Flow 6.)     -   Configuration Server 36 modifies its local cache, if any. (Flow         7.)     -   The Configuration Server 36 sends the status back to the PE 30.         (Flow 8.)     -   Configuration Server 36 sends a Notify (SIP Protocol) message to         SIP

Proxy (contains the Location of modified user/device profile information), and/or addressbook change notification, if SC/HC 60, 18 is online. If SC/HC 60, 18 is not online, the changes will be applicable on next login. (Flow 9.)

-   -   SIP Proxy will forward the Notify message (contains the Location         of modified user/device profile information) to SC/HC 60, 18 if         it is online. (Flow 10.)     -   SC/HC 60, 18 will send XCAP request to get the modified         information (user, service and/or device profile) from the         Configuration Server 36. (Flow 11.)     -   Configuration Server 36 will send down the modified (user and/or         device profile) information from its cache to SC/HC 60, 18, if         the data is present in its cache. Otherwise, the Configuration         Server will get the data from the DS 40 and send it to SC/HC 60,         18. (Flow 12.)     -   SC/HC 60, 18 will request address book changes from the         Configuration Server 36, which then retrieves it from the DS 40         and sends the data back to the SC/HC 60, 18. (Flows 11-12.)

Preferred embodiments of the invention has many advantages. For example, it is possible to automate the provisioning process to provide for an integrated solution that provides for NAT traversal, real-time updates to SC/HC, maintain persistence of data in a centralized place to enable the subscriber to have a consistent experience across a variety of platforms and hardware solutions, support for nomadic clients, support charging functions (prepaid services/account activation/deactivation), be network agnostic for efficient transfer of changed data elements, provide call detail record information on-demand, provision 3rd party systems, and provision new network elements.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: sending a notification for a client, the notification including a location of a user profile, and a location of a service profile; receiving, at a server, a request for profiles from the client, the request including the location of the user profile and the location of the service profile; and in response to receiving the request for profiles: determining whether an update for the client is available, sending, by the server, a device profile specifying the update to the client, and sending, by the server, the user profile and the service profile to the client from the locations of the user profile and the service profile.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the device profile includes a location of a client update for the client, the client update being a software update or a firmware update, wherein sending the device profile specifying the update to the client includes sending the location of the client update, and wherein the method further comprises: sending the client update to the client from the location of the client update, the sending of the client update bypassing the server.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the device profile, the user profile and the service profile are part of a plurality of profiles and the method further comprises: adding information to one of the plurality of profiles, resulting in a changed profile; in response to the adding, sending a second notification to the client from the server, the second notification including an update location of the changed profile; and sending at least a portion of the changed profile to the client from the update location.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the device profile, the user profile and the service profile are part of a plurality of profiles and the method further comprises: deleting information from one of the plurality of profiles, resulting in a changed profile; in response to the deleting, sending a second notification to the client from the server, the second notification including an update location of the changed profile; and sending the changed profile to the client from the update location.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the device profile, the user profile and the service profile are part of a plurality of profiles and the method further comprises: subsequent to sending the user profile and the service profile to the client, modifying one of the plurality of profiles, resulting in a changed profile; in response to the modifying, sending a second notification to the client from the server, the second notification including an update location of the changed profile; and sending the changed profile to the client from the update location.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the service profile includes an address book location.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving an updated profile at the server from the client.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising: sending a second notification to the client from the server, the second notification including an update location of an updated profile for the client; and sending the updated profile to the client from the update location.
 9. A system comprising: a storage device; a first server configured to: send a notify message for a client that includes a location of a user profile and a location of a service profile, and receive a request for profiles from the client, the request including the location of the user profile and the location of the service profile; and respond to receiving the request for profiles at least in part by: determining that an update for the client is available in the storage device, sending a device profile specifying the update to the client, and sending the user profile and the service profile to the client from the locations of the user profile and service profile.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a second server configured to: register the client with the second server to allow interactive user sessions that involve multimedia; and authenticate and route messages from the client to the first server.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the client is configured to resolve the second server prior to sending the messages.
 12. The system of claim 9 wherein the first server is configured to, in response to a change being made to a profile and without waiting for a communication from the client, send a second notify message to the client, the second notify message including a location of an updated profile for the client to allow the client to download the updated profile.
 13. The system of claim 9 wherein the client is a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based client.
 14. The system of claim 9 wherein the client is a hardware client or a software client executing on customer premises equipment.
 15. The system of claim 9 further comprising: a third server configured to: communicate with the client such that the client is provided with Network Address Translation (NAT) traversal information that enables NAT traversal by the client.
 16. A method comprising: sending a notification for a client, the notification including locations for a plurality of profiles including a location of a user profile, a location of a service profile, and a location of a device profile; determining whether an updated device profile specifying an update for the client is available, wherein the determining includes accessing the location of the device profile, upon determining that an updated device profile specifying an update for the client is available, sending, by a server, the updated device profile to the client from the location of the device profile; and sending, by the server, the user profile and the service profile to the client from the locations of the user profile and the service profile.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: in response to a change being made to a profile and without waiting for a communication from the client, sending, by the server, a second notification to the client, the second notification including a location of an updated profile for the client to allow the client to download the updated profile.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the service profile includes a location of an address book and the method further comprises: receiving, at the server, an address book request, the request including the location of the address book; retrieving the address book from the location of the address book; and sending the address book to the client.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of profiles comprises a plurality of booting configuration profiles, each booting configuration profile in the plurality of booting configuration profiles including information required by the client to perform a booting process.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the user profile includes user preferences, the service profile includes a location of an address book, and the method further comprises: receiving, at the server and from the client, a change to at least one of the user preferences and the address book; performing the change to the at least one of the user preferences and the address book, wherein changing the user preferences modifies the user profile and changing the address book modifies the service profile; and subsequent to performing the change, sending a change complete message. 